5:48 pm, May 18, 2011
A CHESTER-based motor finance group has been crowned as Britain’s most responsible lender it’s been announced.
The Funding Corporation was revealed as the overall winner of the accolade at the Credit Today Awards, beating major High Street names such as Barclays Bank and the Co-operative Bank to the title.
The prestigious title of Responsible Lender of the Year is one of the most keenly fought-over honours at the UK credit industry’s annual awards ceremony.
Bringing the accolade back to Chester for 2011 was a major achievement said the firm’s managing director, David Challinor: ‘Every aspect of our work was put under the microscope by the judging panel, and we had to demonstrate how we enact responsible lending policies which safeguard consumers.
‘A major part of this is the service provided to customers by our staff, ensuring that borrowers are given full explanations about our loans, and providing help and support at every stage.
‘Thanks to their diligence and professionalism, and our whole culture of treating customers fairly, we were able to show how we put the principles of responsible lending into practice.
‘It might sound a bit like an Oscar ceremony speech, but this award really is for every single member of our staff!’
The Funding Corporation specialises in providing motor finance for the growing number of people with impaired credit records who need loans to buy a car.
The company works closely with its group member ACF Car Finance Limited which is also based in Chester and operates a network of retail car showrooms across the UK.
With around 250 employees, The Funding Corporation is a lot smaller than many of the big players, including major banks, which it was up against in the competition category.
‘I’m pleased to say that these awards are not about the quantity of staff you have, but the quality of service which they provide to customers,’ added Challinor.
‘We have just completed a record year for profits, and this accolade will help focus even more attention on our business at the start of the busiest time of year for car sales.’
